The Parkway will also close the section between U.S. Route 19, Milepost 455.7, to the end of the Parkway at U.S. Route 441 in Cherokee, NC, until April 15, 2012, to complete repairs on the Big Witch Tunnel, located at Milepost 461.

The Parkway appreciates the public’s understanding and patience of this long winter closure, without implementation of a signed detour, as these two very important tunnel safety projects are undertaken.  Be sure to see all of the most recent Parkway road closures.

View the detour map for this project.

The Historic Stone Guardwall Reconstruction Project (Milepost 217 to Milepost 245) involves 28 miles of the 469 mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway and contains 32,000 linear feet of historic rock masonry walls. A significant portion of the walls are severely deteriorated due to settlement and the effect of freeze-thaw cycles over the past 75 years. This project rehabilitates and reconstructs the most deficient wall sections.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is recognized worldwide as an international example of landscape design achievement. Designed and built to provide a leisurely recreational driving experience and showcase the scenic resources of the central and southern Appalachian Mountains, this section of the Parkway displays the historic rock walls that line the motor road. Constructed during the late 1930s, these rock walls are now an important historic Parkway resource. Built in the rustic style used throughout other American national parks, the walls are a significant feature that defines the visual and historic character of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This project will restore the structural integrity and historic appearance of this important cultural resource.

Blue Ridge Parkway management regrets the inconvenience or delay these closures may cause Parkway visitors.

You can see all Blue Ridge Parkway road closures on Virtual Blue Ridge.

The detour will direct visitors off the Parkway north of the closure at Milepost 384.7 to US Route 74 north, then to I-40 west, then to NC Route 191 south and back to the Parkway at Milepost 393.6 where NC Route 191 passes under.  The detour is approximately 11.5 miles long and expected to take approximately 25 minutes to drive.  The Parkway will remain open between US Route 74 and US Route 25 for the duration of the project. (see below for turn-by-turn detour directions)

This Parkway closure is necessary for contractors to repair deteriorating conditions on the south approach of the bridge over Interstate 26.  Repairs are expected to be complete no later than Monday, December 5, 2011.

You can also see a list of all Parkway road closures on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Alternate Route Information
From US Route 74 (MP 384.7) to NC Route 191 (MP 393.6)

Southbound Traffic

• After passing Parkway Headquarters, turn right onto the Parkway ramp at US Route 74
• Follow ramp to stop sign, turn right onto US Route 74
• Turn right onto access ramp for I-40 West
• Take Exit 47 Brevard Road / NC Route 191, turn left at the top of the ramp
• Cross over I-26 and continue on NC Route 191
• Turn right on Parkway access ramp; return to Parkway at MP 393.6
• Turn right to continue South on the Parkway

Northbound Traffic

• At Parkway closure barricades at Milepost 393.6, turn left onto Parkway ramp
• Follow ramp to traffic light
• Turn left at traffic light onto NC Route 191
• Cross over I-26 and continue on NC Route 191
• Turn right onto I-40 East ramp and continue on I-40 East
• Take Exit 53A, US Route 74, turn right at the stop sign at the end of the ramp
• Cross under the Parkway and turn right onto the Parkway access ramp
• Turn right to continue North on the Parkway

The Doughton Park Campground and Brinegar Cabin are open and accessible by traveling the Parkway from the south.

Beginning the Spring of 2012, additional closures and detours will follow between Milepost 218 near Cumberland Knob and Milepost 230. The Bluffs Lodge and Coffee Shop will remain closed for the season.

The Historic Stone Guardwall Reconstruction Project will involve 28 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 217 to Milepost 245) that contain 32,000 linear feet of historic rock masonry walls. A significant portion of the walls are severely deteriorated due to settlement and the effect of freeze-thaw cycles over the past 75 years. This project rehabilitates and reconstructs the most deficient wall sections.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is recognized worldwide as an international example of landscape design achievement. Designed and built to provide a leisurely recreational driving experience and showcase the scenic resources of the central and southern Appalachian Mountains, this section of Parkway displays the historic rock guide walls that line the motor road.

Constructed during the late 1930s, these rock walls are now an important historic Parkway resource. Though built in the rustic style used throughout other American national parks, the walls have become a significant feature that defines the visual and historic character of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This project will restore the structural integrity and historic appearance of this important cultural resource.

Blue Ridge Parkway management regrets the inconvenience or delay this closure may cause Parkway visitors.

Taking a Break on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Virtual Blue Ridge is announcing the launch of a new website focusing on motorcycling in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Joe Veler, president of Virtual Blue Ridge, said “The launch of the website is perfect timing since May is Motorcycling Safety Awareness Month, and the lack of motorcycling safety tips specific to mountain driving was astonishing – until now.”

BlueRidgeMotorcycling.com features tips for driving in the mountains, an important feature since 27% of motorcycle accidents in 2010 occurred in the mountain region where only 12% of the state’s population resides. “Coordinating with Sgt. Mark L. Brown with the North Carolina Highway Patrol was paramount in getting a lot of this safety information together,” said Veler.

Sgt. Brown, coordinator of BikeSafeNC, says the Highway Patrol is very interested in reducing motorcycle fatalities by partnering an education tool such as www.BikeSafeNC.com with an enforcement element. There is no one better to teach this than the motor officers that do it for a living every day. BikeSafeNC is funded by a grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) and partners with local departments to offer courses for motorcyclists. As a joint venture of the GHSP, the Highway Patrol, and local agencies, BikeSafeNC’s common goal is to reduce motorcycle crashes and fatalities statewide.

Enjoying a Sunset on a Mountain Ridge

The new site is dedicated to providing information on routes favorable to motorcyclists including scenic features, mile by mile directions and interactive maps, as well as tips to keep them safe.

Motorcycle-friendly businesses are highlighted on the site to provide information so motorcyclists will have an easier time finding the best places to stay, eat, and play.

Future phases of the website will include motorcycling videos, Road Journal posts, guest ride submissions, additional destinations, community interaction, and GPS downloads of the rides. “We know these features will be instrumental in growing an online Blue Ridge Mountain Motorcycling Enthusiast community, and everyone’s feedback will be instrumental in how well the site progresses,” said Veler.

In addition to Sgt. Brown’s contribution of content, other motorcycling enthusiasts have helped to provide valuable content and popular motorcycle routes.

Misty Journey on a Mountain Road

Wayne Busch, cartographer, explorer, and designer, is no stranger to two-wheeled adventures. Owner of AmericaRidesMaps.com, Busch provides insider info to motorcycle rides with interesting twists. He is also prolific in producing point-of-view videos for the enjoyment of all. Busch has been featured in several publications and worked with SpeedTV on the Speed Channel. Every year Busch travels thousands of miles, selects the best rides, and presents them in a series of motorcycle maps.

Dale Coyner is the author of two books geared for motorcyclists. His expertise and sense of humor have made him a popular author with motorcycle enthusiasts. Coyner has been riding and writing since 1989, and has been featured in dozens of publications, including Rider and Motorcycle Consumer News.

What’s your favorite thing to do on the Parkway when the weather finally breaks? I like to take leisurely strolls on the trails, hopefully with my camera in tow. Pre-season exploration of the Parkway can bring surprises for photographers –like a newly felled tree, or the lack of people in general in areas that stay crowded during peak visitation times.

But one of my favorites is visiting waterfalls. I must admit, I’ve been a life-long resident of Boone and thought I knew the area pretty well when it came to finding waterfalls, but there are a couple of books and maps at the store that showed me otherwise! Weather breaks like this before winter is officially over and springtime arrives means you may get lucky and find icy waterfalls without having to deal with the cold weather that normally comes with it. Just another bonus for checking out the various falls in the area this time of year.

Here are some of my favorite waterfall guides:

Great Waterfalls of North Carolina

This book is great for a photographer, with easy-to-follow driving directions, ratings for trail difficulty and beauty, and even points out the best photographic locations for every waterfall — a great feature for amateur photographers.

Click Here for more info

This map is incredible, listing more than 300 waterfalls and includes Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Even better is the tear-resistant and waterproof paper because let’s face it, maps like this tend to take a beating after a while so it’s nice to have something stand up to long-term use.

Click Here for more info

You’ll also find waterfalls, major recreation areas, and several backroads identified to make your trip an adventurous one. Buying all 3 maps together means you’re covered from milepost 0 to 469.1. Who wouldn’t want America’s Favorite Scenic Drive accessible at their fingertips?

• Blue Ridge Parkway Detailed Guidemap Gift Set – Buy Now

You can still purchase these maps separately, in case you feel like covering a smaller area.

• Northern Section Guidemap to the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Central Section Guidemap to the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Southern Section Guidemap to the Blue Ridge Parkway

Happy Travels!

Parking spaces face Price Lake and the boat rental area. The Amphitheater is to the far left of the lake and is not far from the road. Handicap parking faces the short path to the amphitheater. Loop A campsites run directly behind the amphitheater and places campers in the perfect spot for attending events.

This outdoor amphitheater seats 300 people and various events are held here during the summer and fall seasons. Tucked away by trees, and surrounded by Price Lake, it’s a relatively shaded area. Sunday mornings in the summer (June-August) church services are held and open to the public.

For more information on this amphitheater and possible upcoming events you can contact Parkway Headquarters at 828-271-4779.

There are the obvious facilities in this section; the Otter Creek Campground with its new entrance bridge and Kiosk, the concession operated Otter Creek Restaurant, and the James River Visitor Center.  But there is so much more.

The inquisitive visitor will discover the Otter Creek Trail.  This 3.5 mile trail meanders along the creek and Parkway motor road from the campground to the visitor center.  The trail is easy to walk and crosses the creek numerous times on stepping stones and pedestrian bridges.  Sharp rock bluffs, mountain laurel, redbud, and bird life are abundant.  At State Route 130 the trail travels through an underpass of the road.  If you are observant you will see what appears to be a ditch that follows the edge of the trail.  This is the remains of what was once a large mill operation that was obliterated when the present bridge for 130 was built.

The trail forks and makes a loop around Otter Lake.  At the north end of the loop you will find the skeletal chimney and foundation of what was once the Nathaniel Sledd Cabin.  This site is believed to have been the home of the first European settler in Amherst County, Virginia in the early 1700s.  He was drawn to this location to trade with Native Americans for beaver pelts.  Otter Creek was a heavily used travel route from the mountains above to the James River and above the threat of flood.  Otter Lake did not exist at that time being built when the Blue Ridge Parkway came through in the late 1950s.  Beaver still live in Otter Creek today.  Hikers can see their handiwork in dams and the stumps and bases of trees that they have felled for food and construction materials.  Trees around the trail have wire mesh around their base to protect them from the industrious rodents.

Beyond the James River Visitor Center you will find a remnant of our Country’s transportation history.  On the opposite bank of the James River is a fully restored canal lock from the Kanawha Canal System that served as the main commercial transportation from the Shenandoah Valley to Richmond, Virginia before the Civil War.  Looking up river you will be looking into the James River Water Gap, a geological feature left from a millennium of the river cutting its way through the Blue Ridge Mountains.  This makes the James one of only two rivers that flow from west of the Blue Ridge toward the Atlantic Ocean.

So the next time you are driving through this area stop and get out of your vehicle and see what wonders await you.

Answer:
Because the Blue Ridge Parkway is a national park and a senic by-way there are no gas stations located on the parkway itself, nor are there signs at the exits indicating the availability of gas, food or lodging.

One of the beauties and pleasures of the parkway is the fact there are no commercial signs and businesses cluttering up the serene landscape. Some commerical vehicles are not allowed on the Blue Ridge Parkway either.

With proper planning gas availability should not be a problem and is usually easy to find near the major intersections with state and federal highways.

Below is a list of state and US highways that intersect the Blue Ridge Parkway along with their corresponding parkway milepost.

Virginia Parkway Milepost Gas and Food Exits

• US 250 – MP 0
• US 60 – MP 45.6
• US 501 – MP 63.9
• US 460 – MP 95.9
• VA 24 – MP 112.2
• US 220 – MP 121.4
• US 58 – MP 199.4
• VA 89 – MP 215.8

North Carolina Parkway Milepost Gas and Food Exits

• US 21 – MP 229.7
• NC 18 – MP 248.1
• NC 16 – MP 261.2
• US 421 – MP 276.4
• US 321 – MP 291.9
• US 221 – MP 305
• NC 181 – MP 312
• US 221 – MP 317.5
• NC 226 – MP 330.9
• NC 226A – MP 334
• US 70 – MP 382.4
• US 74A – MP 384.7
• US 25 – MP 388.1
• NC 191 – MP 393.6
• US 276 – MP 411.9
• US 74/23 – MP 443.1
• US 19 – MP 445.7
• US 441 – MP 469

Visit our store for a selection of Blue Ridge Parkway Maps to help guide you on your journey!

Answer:
Road detours and closures can certainly make traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway a chore rather than a pleasure. The best way to avoid these situations is to plan ahead before venturing out onto the Parkway. Virtual Blue Ridge has a dedicated page to keep you updated on the latest road conditions and closures. Click here to visit this page. It is updated frequently Monday-Friday as information becomes available from the NPS.

Unfortunately, most of the closures on the parkway are due to unforeseen events, making it more difficult to anticipate a detour. The National Park Service provides a hot-line that you can call before your travels. This hotline is updated daily with information regarding new road closures, repairs and detours by mileposts. The number is 828-298-0398.

Answer: Up until about 3 years ago (early 2005) this was a hard question to answer.  There simply weren’t any good maps of the Blue Ridge Parkway available.  Sure, the National Park Service provides a map of the entire 469 mile park, but it lacks a lot of detail that a traveler needs. This map is available at many locations along the parkway including visitor centers and parks.  The good thing about this map is that it is free.  You can even download it from the Internet here.

Recently, we started building a Blue Ridge Parkway map section on Virtual Blue Ridge that has even more information.  This new content includes several digital downloads that you can print on demand for your day-hikes or trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

In 2004, we were actually contemplating producing a map for the purpose of providing a better, commercialized version of the Parkway map for the avid Blue Ridge Parkway traveler.  At the same time, so were the people at Outdoor Paths Publishing.  They created the first Parkway map that we consider valuable to the Parkway traveler.  It was called the “Detailed Guidemap to the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina“.  Whew, what a long name to market.

The map only spanned the Parkway from Milepost 289 to 469, but man… what detail it provided.  Trails, Visitor Centers, Parks, restrooms, convenience centers, overlooks and more… it had it all.  We couldn’t really find anything that they needed to do other than provide a map for the other half of the Parkway.  They did that in 2007 and decided to shorten the names to “Detailed Guidemap to the Blue Ridge Parkway: Northern Section“,  “Detailed Guidemap to the Blue Ridge Parkway: Central Section“, and “Detailed Guidemap to the Blue Ridge Parkway: Southern Section“.  Still a long name, but that was exactly what they produced.

Now, why did they need 3 maps?  Because that’s how much “stuff” there is to do along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  In all honesty, they really couldn’t have done a better job.  If they had tried to make one map, it would not have been nearly as valuable.  You can purchase all three Detailed Guidemaps to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a discounted price at the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore.

“Why,” might you ask, “did the National Park Service not create a map like this?” Two primary reasons:  a) budget and b) commercialization.  See, the National Park Service – Blue Ridge Parkway has chosen to keep the Parkway a thing of natural scenic beauty and won’t endorse any businesses.  Thus, they could not create a map that provided all the information that an avid traveler would need.

There are other maps on the Blue Ridge Parkway and they are all available at the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore.  We don’t recommend them as much, but they each have their own benefits for different Parkway travelers.

You can find out more about all these maps through the links below:

• Blue Ridge Parkway Laminated Tour Map
  This map is produced by JSK Map Services and is a really good map that was introduced in the fall of 2006.  They are currently working on a second edition and when it’s available, we’ll update this post.  In the meantime, it won’t compete with the Detailed Guidemap series, but it has it’s own benefit.  Namely, it’s laminated and has the entire parkway in one folding map.  There’s not as much detail, but it also has an elevation profile that follows the map as you go from North to South.  I personally like laminated maps because you can mark on them with dry-erase markers to help plot your trip.
• Virtual Blue Ridge CD-ROM
  This is our own production and has it’s merit.  It would be listed first, but it’s not really a map in the conventional sense.  This is because it’s a digital product.  It integrates the NPS map and allows you to click on icons of overlooks, parks, and visitor centers to view 360 degree panoramas from your computer.  Unfortunately, there is not a print option, but it’s a great tool to plan your trip.
• National Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps
  Wow, what a series.  These are intended for the avid hiker, but you can’t really ask for more than National Geographic provides.  This series of maps highlights all the trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park.  Lots of the trails on these top maps are on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but there’s many more adjacent to Parkway lands to be found also.  A hiker could savor the journeys these maps create for years.

Well, that’s about it for maps on the Parkway.

Answer: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a natural wonder that meanders through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. These mountains are the source of many major rivers including the New River and Yadkin River. As such, many waterfalls have been created as the small streams and rivers have washed away topsoil and dirt, but couldn’t get past the granite and quartz (among other rocks and minerals).

Some of these waterfalls are accessible quickly and easily from the Parkway roadway. We have compiled a list of the more common waterfalls that attract thousands of photographers and sightseers on an annual basis. You can view the list on our Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls page.

If you are interested in finding out more about some of the more obscure waterfalls, as well as more details on our list of waterfalls, you might find some of the books below to be quite helpful. We have ranked them based on reviews from customers of the Virtual Blue Ridge Parkway Bookstore:

• Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge: A Hiking Guide to the Cascades of the Blue Ridge Mountains
• North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide
• Waterfalls of Virginia and West Virginia: A Hiking and Photography Guide
• Waterfall Walks and Drives in the Great Smoky Mountians and the Western Carolinas

One of our personal favorites is Linville Falls at Milepost 316 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. In the fall of 2004, there were several hurricanes (some downgraded to Tropical Storms) that passed along the Blue Ridge Parkway and caused considerable damage, including the destruction of the Linville Falls Visitor Center. The Visitor Center was later rebuilt, but it’s hard to appreciate the power of water as it rushes from the mountains when the rain is heavy. The Blue Ridge Parkway was lucky enough to catch the force behind the Linville River as it plummeted into the Linville Gorge at Linville Falls.

Here are 2 videos, one on a normal day and one shot during Hurricane Ivan (one of the several that passed through this area in 2004).

Normal Day at Linville Falls:

Hurricane Ivan Attacks the Blue Ridge Mountains: